Appia Antica: Porta San Sebastiano to Caecilia Metella: a walk in Rome

Walk out of the city walls on the original Roman road, past catacombs to the tomb of Caecilia Metella. Uneven basalt paving; good shoes needed. Bus 118 back.

Best time: Sunday morning; avoid midday heat in summer

The route, stop by stop

1
Museo delle Mura (Porta San Sebastiano)
Walk on the Aurelian Walls; 30 min.
A small museum inside the best-preserved gate of the Aurelian Walls that lets you walk along a stretch of the 3rd-century wall-top. Few tourists find it, although the Appia…
2
Domine Quo Vadis church
Tiny church marking the legend of Peter; 10 min. Narrow road with traffic here.
3
Catacombs of San Callisto
Guided visit; 40 min (closed Wed).
About 20 km of 2nd-century Christian burial galleries on four levels, including the Crypt of the Popes; visits are guided only.
4
Appian Way Regional Park (Via Appia Antica)
Tomb of Caecilia Metella and the quiet paved stretch beyond; 45 min.
The original Roman basalt paving lined with tombs and umbrella pines; the stretch past Caecilia Metella's tomb feels like countryside inside the city limits.

Walking directions

Appia Antica: Porta San Sebastiano to Caecilia Metella

The route, stop by stop

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